Chiniot is known all over the world for its fine wood-carving
which can still be seen on the doors, windows and balconies
of the houses in the central part of the old town. Wood carving
is found here mainly in two forms - furniture and handicrafts,
Furniture of Chiniot is better in finishing and quality standard
than that of other areas of the country. This Industry is
totally based on local material like wood, hardboard, yin-board,
etc. All forms of furniture are made here, but the most popular
forms are of carving and brass Inlay. More than 80% demand
of Pakistani market is met by the Chinioti furniture.
Internationally, Chiniot alone is
competing with the most modem furniture industry of Italy
which has monopoly all over the world. The carving style of
Italy and Chiniot is the same but the furniture - here is
more durable and beautiful than that of,. Italy. Sheesham
wood is mostly used in the furniture which is better in quality
and strength than Rose Wood, and considered similar to wood
found in Brazil. The furniture made of Sheesham wood has become
an important part of almost every house. Chiniot furniture
industry is 150-200 years old, with 3000 to 4000 furniture
workshops operative at the moment. Approximately, 40,000 to
50.000 people are linked with the furniture and handicraft
business in Chiniot. The artisans in a workshop work like
family members which is their heritage.
Furniture available here is mostly
without polish, while a major portion of exports is in the
form of wooden handicrafts which include objects like table
lamps. jewellery boxes, trolleys, table sets, models of animals
and historical buildings. mirror frames, Mughal style screen
partitions, etc. Two famous places for getting the best specimens
of furniture and woodcraft in the city are: Mohalla Tarkhanan
(masons area) and on the Shahra-e-Ouaide-Azam.
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